Adjustable cutoff

Abstract

A cutting assembly ( 20 ) is removably supported on a sheet bending brake ( 24 ) for cutting a work piece ( 22 ). The cutting assembly ( 20 ) includes a cutter body ( 32 ), and a first ( 42 ) and a second cutting disk ( 48 ), each having an outer periphery defining a primary ( 44 ) and a complimentary cutting edge ( 50 ) respectively. The first ( 42 ) and second cutting disks ( 48 ) are rotatably supported by the cutter body ( 32 ) and rotate about a first axis ( 46 ) and a second axis ( 52 ) respectively. An adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) interconnects the second cutting disk ( 48 ) and the cutter body ( 32 ) for axially adjusting the complimentary cutting edge ( 50 ) with respect to the primary cutting edge ( 44 ) without having to remove the second cutting disk ( 48 ) from the cutter body ( 32 ). The cutting assembly ( 20 ) includes a locking device ( 82 ) for preventing movement of the adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) relative to the cutter body ( 32 ).

1. A cutting assembly ( 20 ) for cutting a work piece ( 22 ) on a sheet bending brake ( 24 ), said assembly comprising:
 a cutter body ( 32 ); 
 a first cutting disk ( 42 ) having a periphery defining a primary cutting edge ( 44 ) and rotatably mounted to said cutter body ( 32 ) for rotation about a first axis ( 46 ); 
 a second cutting disk ( 48 ) having a periphery defining a complimentary cutting edge ( 50 ) substantially identical to the primary cutting edge ( 44 ) and rotatably mounted to said cutter body ( 32 ) for rotation about a second axis ( 52 ) spaced from said first axis ( 46 ) for cutting the work piece ( 22 ) therebetween; and 
 an adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) directly interconnecting said second cutting disk ( 48 ) and said cutter body ( 32 ) in abutting relationship for adjusting said complimentary cutting edge ( 50 ) axially along said second axis ( 52 ) relative to said primary cutting edge ( 44 ) for cutting a plurality of work pieces ( 22 ) of different thickness and material. 
 
     
     
       2. An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said assembly includes a locking device ( 82 ) for preventing movement of said adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) relative to said cutter body ( 32 ). 
     
     
       3. An assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) includes a threaded bore ( 62 ) having a bore wall ( 64 ) including threads thereon and extends into said cutter body ( 32 ), and a threaded insert ( 66 ) having an outer surface ( 68 ) defining threads thereon in threaded engagement with said threaded bore ( 62 ). 
     
     
       4. An assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said threaded insert ( 66 ) includes a back surface ( 70 ) and a tool receiving device ( 72 ) therein for receiving a tool for rotating said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
     
     
       5. An assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said tool receiving device ( 72 ) includes a nut ( 74 ) protruding from said back surface ( 70 ) of said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
     
     
       6. An assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein said cutter body ( 32 ) includes a side wall ( 84 ) and said locking device ( 82 ) includes a slot ( 88 ) defined by said cutter body ( 32 ) and extending between said side wall ( 84 ) and said threaded bore ( 62 ). 
     
     
       7. An assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said cutter body ( 32 ) includes a bottom wall ( 86 ) and said locking device ( 82 ) includes a smooth bore ( 90 ) defined by said cutter body ( 32 ) and extending upwardly from said bottom wall ( 86 ) to said slot ( 88 ). 
     
     
       8. An assembly as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said locking device ( 82 ) includes a locking recess ( 92 ) concentric with said smooth bore ( 90 ) and extending upwardly from said slot ( 88 ) and away from said smooth bore ( 90 ) and including a threaded wall ( 94 ) having threads thereon and defined by said cutter body ( 32 ). 
     
     
       9. An assembly as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said locking device ( 82 ) includes a locking screw ( 96 ) having a smooth shank portion ( 98 ) extending from said bottom wall ( 86 ) to said slot ( 88 ) and a threaded portion ( 100 ) in threaded engagement with said threaded locking recess ( 92 ). 
     
     
       10. An assembly as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said assembly includes a roller bearing ( 56 ) concentric with said second cutting disk ( 48 ) and disposed between said cutter body ( 32 ) and said second cutting disk ( 48 ). 
     
     
       11. An assembly as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said assembly includes an annular spacer ( 58 ) concentric with said second cutting disk ( 48 ) and disposed between said roller bearing ( 56 ) and said cutter body ( 32 ). 
     
     
       12. An assembly as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said threaded insert ( 66 ) includes a front surface ( 76 ) having a cylindrical recess ( 78 ) therein and including a recess wall ( 80 ) having threads thereon and defined by said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
     
     
       13. An assembly as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said assembly includes a fastener ( 54 ) extending through said second cutting disk ( 48 ) and said roller bearing ( 56 ) and said annular spacer ( 58 ) and into threaded engagement with said cylindrical recess ( 78 ) for attaching said second cutting disk ( 48 ) to said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
     
     
       14. An assembly as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said first axis is parallel said second axis. 
     
     
       15. An assembly as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said assembly includes a tubular frame ( 30 ) attached to said cutter body ( 32 ) for supporting said cutter body ( 32 ) on the sheet bending brake ( 24 ). 
     
     
       16. An assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said assembly includes an anti-friction device ( 36 ) attached to said tubular frame ( 30 ) for slideably engaging the sheet bending brake ( 24 ). 
     
     
       17. An assembly as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said assembly includes a handle ( 40 ) attached to said tubular frame ( 30 ) for sliding said assembly along the sheet bending brake ( 24 ). 
     
     
       18. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) comprising:
 a base; 
 a clamping member ( 26 ) pivotally attached to said base for securing a work piece ( 22 ) thereto; 
 a track ( 28 ) extending longitudinally on said base; and 
 a cutting assembly ( 20 ) removably supported by said track ( 28 ) and longitudinally movable on said track ( 28 ) for cutting the work piece ( 22 ); 
 said cutting assembly ( 20 ) including: a cutter body ( 32 ); 
 a first cutting disk ( 42 ) having a periphery defining a primary cutting edge ( 44 ) and rotatably mounted to said cutter body ( 32 ) for rotation about a first axis ( 46 ); 
 a second cutting disk ( 48 ) having a periphery defining a complimentary cutting edge ( 50 ) substantially identical to the primary cutting edge ( 44 ) and rotatably mounted to said cutter body ( 32 ) for rotation about a second axis ( 52 ) spaced from said first axis ( 46 ) for cutting the work piece ( 22 ) therebetween; and 
 an adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) directly interconnecting said second cutting disk ( 48 ) and said cutter body ( 32 ) in abutting relationship for adjusting said complimentary cutting edge ( 50 ) axially along said second axis ( 52 ) relative to said primary cutting edge ( 44 ) for cutting a plurality of work pieces ( 22 ) of different thickness and material. 
 
     
     
       19. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said cutting assembly ( 20 ) includes a locking device ( 82 ) for preventing movement of said adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) relative to said cutter body ( 32 ). 
     
     
       20. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) includes a threaded bore ( 62 ) having a bore wall ( 64 ) including threads thereon and extending into said cutter body ( 32 ), and a threaded insert ( 66 ) having an outer surface ( 68 ) defining threads thereon in threaded engagement with said threaded bore ( 62 ). 
     
     
       21. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said threaded insert ( 66 ) includes a back surface ( 70 ) and a tool receiving device ( 72 ) therein for receiving a tool for rotating said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
     
     
       22. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said tool receiving device ( 72 ) includes a nut ( 74 ) protruding from said back surface ( 70 ) of said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
     
     
       23. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) as set forth in  claim 22  wherein said cutter body ( 32 ) includes a side wall ( 84 ) and said locking device ( 82 ) includes a slot ( 88 ) defined by said cutter body ( 32 ) and extending between said side wall ( 84 ) and said threaded bore ( 62 ). 
     
     
       24. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said cutter body ( 32 ) includes a bottom wall ( 86 ) and said locking device ( 82 ) includes a smooth bore ( 90 ) defined by said cutter body ( 32 ) and extending upwardly from said bottom wall ( 86 ) to said slot ( 88 ). 
     
     
       25. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said locking device ( 82 ) includes a locking recess ( 92 ) concentric with said smooth bore ( 90 ) and extending upwardly from said slot ( 88 ) and away from said smooth bore ( 90 ) and including a threaded wall ( 94 ) having threads thereon and defined by said cutter body ( 32 ). 
     
     
       26. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said locking device ( 82 ) includes a locking screw ( 96 ) having a smooth shank portion ( 98 ) extending from said bottom wall ( 86 ) to said slot ( 88 ) and a threaded portion ( 100 ) in threaded engagement with said threaded locking recess ( 92 ). 
     
     
       27. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) as set forth in  claim 26  wherein said cutting threaded insert ( 66 ) includes a front surface ( 76 ) having a cylindrical recess ( 78 ) therein and including a recess wall ( 80 ) having threads thereon defined by said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
     
     
       28. A sheet bending brake ( 24 ) as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said cutting assembly ( 20 ) includes a fastener ( 54 ) extending through said second cutting disk ( 48 ) into threaded engagement with said cylindrical recess ( 78 ) for attaching said second cutting disk ( 48 ) to said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
     
     
       29. A cutting assembly ( 20 ) for cutting a work piece ( 22 ) on a sheet bending brake ( 24 ), said assembly comprising:
 a cutter body ( 32 ); 
 a first cutting disk ( 42 ) having a periphery defining a primary cutting edge ( 44 ) and rotatably mounted to said cutter body ( 32 ) for rotation about a first axis ( 46 ); 
 a second cutting disk ( 48 ) having a periphery defining a complimentary cutting edge ( 50 ) and rotatably mounted to said cutter body ( 32 ) for rotation about a second axis ( 52 ) spaced from said first axis ( 46 ) for cutting the work piece ( 22 ) therebetween; and 
 an adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) interconnecting said second cutting disk ( 48 ) and said cutter body ( 32 ) for adjusting said complimentary cutting edge ( 50 ) axially along said second axis ( 52 ) relative to said primary cutting edge ( 44 ) for cutting a plurality of work pieces ( 22 ) of different thickness and material; 
 wherein said assembly includes a locking device ( 82 ) for preventing movement of said adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) relative to said cutter body ( 32 ); 
 wherein said adjustment mechanism ( 60 ) includes a threaded bore ( 62 ) having a bore wall ( 64 ) including threads thereon and extends into said cutter body ( 32 ), and a threaded insert ( 66 ) having an outer surface ( 68 ) defining threads thereon in threaded engagement with said threaded bore ( 62 ); 
 wherein said threaded insert ( 66 ) includes a back surface ( 70 ) and a tool receiving device ( 72 ) therein for receiving a tool for rotating said threaded insert ( 66 ); 
 wherein said cutter body ( 32 ) includes a side wall ( 84 ) and said locking device ( 82 ) includes a slot ( 88 ) defined by said cutter body ( 32 ) and extending between said side wall ( 84 ) and said threaded bore ( 62 ); 
 wherein said cutter body ( 32 ) includes a bottom wall ( 86 ) and said locking device ( 82 ) includes a smooth bore ( 90 ) defined by said cutter body ( 32 ) and extending upwardly from said bottom wall ( 86 ) to said slot ( 88 ); 
 wherein said locking device ( 82 ) includes a locking recess ( 92 ) concentric with said smooth bore ( 90 ) and extending upwardly from said slot ( 88 ) and away from said smooth bore ( 90 ) and including a threaded wall ( 94 ) having threads thereon and defined by said cutter body ( 32 ); 
 wherein said locking device ( 82 ) includes a locking screw ( 96 ) having a smooth shank portion ( 98 ) extending from said bottom wall ( 86 ) to said slot ( 88 ) and a threaded portion ( 100 ) in threaded engagement with said threaded locking recess ( 92 ); 
 wherein said assembly includes a roller bearing ( 56 ) concentric with said second cutting disk ( 48 ) and disposed between said cutter body ( 32 ) and said second cutting disk ( 48 ); 
 wherein said assembly includes an annular spacer ( 58 ) concentric with said second cutting disk ( 48 ) and disposed between said roller bearing ( 56 ) and said cutter body ( 32 ); 
 wherein said threaded insert ( 66 ) includes a front surface ( 76 ) having a cylindrical recess ( 78 ) therein and including a recess wall ( 80 ) having threads thereon and defined by said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
 
     
     
       30. An assembly as set forth in  claim 29  wherein said tool receiving device ( 72 ) includes a nut ( 74 ) protruding from said back surface ( 70 ) of said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
     
     
       31. An assembly as set forth in  claim 29  wherein said assembly includes a fastener ( 54 ) extending through said second cutting disk ( 48 ) and said roller bearing ( 56 ) and said annular spacer ( 58 ) and into threaded engagement with said cylindrical recess ( 78 ) for attaching said second cutting disk ( 48 ) to said threaded insert ( 66 ). 
     
     
       32. An assembly as set forth in  claim 31  wherein said first axis is parallel said second axis. 
     
     
       33. An assembly as set forth in  claim 29  wherein said assembly includes a tubular frame ( 30 ) attached to said cutter body ( 32 ) for supporting said cutter body ( 32 ) on the sheet bending brake ( 24 ). 
     
     
       34. An assembly as set forth in  claim 33  wherein said assembly includes an anti-friction device ( 36 ) attached to said tubular frame ( 30 ) for slideably engaging the sheet bending brake ( 24 ). 
     
     
       35. An assembly as set forth in  claim 34  wherein said assembly includes a handle ( 40 ) attached to said tubular frame ( 30 ) for sliding said assembly along the sheet bending brake ( 24 ).